acme

noun

ac·me | \ ˈak-mē

Definition of acme

: the highest point or stage the acme of his fame also : something or someone that represents perfection of the thing expressed a system that is the acme of efficiency

Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about acme

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Choose the Right Synonym for acme

summit, peak, pinnacle, climax, apex, acme, culmination mean the highest point attained or attainable. summit implies the topmost level attainable. at the summit of the Victorian social scene peak suggests the highest among other high points. an artist working at the peak of her powers pinnacle suggests a dizzying and often insecure height. the pinnacle of worldly success climax implies the highest point in an ascending series. the war was the climax to a series of hostile actions apex implies the point where all ascending lines converge. the apex of Dutch culture acme implies a level of quality representing the perfection of a thing. a statue that was once deemed the acme of beauty culmination suggests the outcome of a growth or development representing an attained objective. the culmination of years of effort

Did You Know?

In Greek, acme meant a mountain peak, but in English we hardly ever use it in the physical sense. Instead we speak of someone's new job as the acme of her career, or of a certain leap as the acme of classical dance technique. In old Road Runner cartoons, the Acme Company is the provider of every ingenious device imaginable. But the word can't always be taken quite literally as a brand or company name; it's possible, for instance, that something called the Acme Bar & Grill may not be the absolutely highest and best example of a bar and grill. And don't confuse acme with acne, the skin disorder—even though both actually come from the same word.

Examples of acme in a Sentence

His fame was at its acme. the acme of their basketball season was their hard-won victory over last year's state champs

Recent Examples on the Web

Seizing the castle The Akwamu Empire (1600-1730), at its acme, controlled a territory extending 200 miles along the coast and 100 miles into the interior, with Nyanaose as its capital. — Rachel Ama Asaa Engmann, Quartz Africa, "A Ghanaian royal family’s conflict of collaboration and resistance in the African slave trade," 13 July 2019 For real foodies, though, a robot that can turn its hand to almost anything culinary would be the acme of automation. — The Economist, "The rise of the robochef," 12 July 2018 In practice, social democracy has probably reached its acme in the Nordic countries, where the left has ruled governments for most of last half-century. — John B. Judis, New Republic, "The Socialism America Needs Now," 24 Aug. 2017 Under the radar is the acme of cool and up-and-coming is the rep to have. — Sarah Lindig, Harper's BAZAAR, "The Brooklyn Bands to Watch," 4 Sep. 2014 July 8-9 What started in Chicago in 2003 is now the acme of craft fairs. — Marielle Wakim, Los Angeles Magazine, "The 5 Best Things to Do in L.A. This Weekend," 7 July 2017 The acme of China’s innovation boom can be found in four office towers that loom over a sprawl of condos in the suburbs of Beijing. — Clive Thompson, WIRED, "How a Nation of Tech Copycats Transformed Into a Hub for Innovation," 29 Dec. 2015 Renegade Craft Fair July 8-9 What started in Chicago in 2003 is now the acme of craft fairs. — Marielle Wakim, Los Angeles Magazine, "Here Is a List of 12 Things You Must Do in July," 29 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'acme.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for acme

acme

noun

English Language Learners Definition of acme

: the highest point of something

See the full definition for acme in the English Language Learners Dictionary

acme

noun

ac·me | \ ˈak-mē

Medical Definition of acme

: the highest or most critical point or stage (as of growth or development)

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acme

Definition of acme

Synonyms & Antonyms for acme

Choose the Right Synonym for acme

Did You Know?

Examples of acme in a Sentence

First Known Use of acme

History and Etymology for acme

English Language Learners Definition of acme

Medical Definition of acme

acme

Definition of acme

Synonyms & Antonyms for acme

Choose the Right Synonym for acme

Did You Know?

Examples of acme in a Sentence

First Known Use of acme

History and Etymology for acme

English Language Learners Definition of acme

Medical Definition of acme

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